Showing posts with label Arnold Harris Mathew Declaration of Autonomy December 29 1910 Jakob Lazarus Holy Paraclete. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arnold Harris Mathew Declaration of Autonomy December 29 1910 Jakob Lazarus Holy Paraclete. Show all posts

Friday, December 30, 2011

Declaration of Autonomy: 101 Years of Fragmentation

On December 29th, 1910, Bishop Arnold Harris Mathew, Old Catholic Bishop of Great Britain declared autonomy from the continental Old Catholic Church, forming a 101 year (and counting) schism between the Union of Utrecht and his successors. Mathew announced 9 points of disagreement between his community and those of the Union of Utrecht:

  1. Mathew accepted the Council of Jerusalem in 1672 and the belief that all 7 Sacraments are necessary for salvation although not all 7must be received by each Christian. 
  2. Mathew stated that the Sacrament of  Reconciliation is necessary for the forgiveness of mortal sins committed after Baptism. 
  3. Mathew stated, the veneration of the Communion of Saints must be maintained and never lost.
  4. Matthew asserted that the Old Catholic Church cannot change the ancient liturgy and it must remain the same, although in the vernacular. Also, benediction must be retained. 
  5. Mathew claimed that praying for the Pope must be retained in the canon of the Mass.
  6. Mathew stated that the Eucharist should be celebrated daily. 
  7. Mathew stated that the use of holy images, statues, and relics must be maintained. 
  8. Mathew stated that the Eucharist should only be given to Catholics.
  9. Mathew claimed that fasting and abstinence must be retained. 


With this declaration, Mathew ceased to be Old Catholic and then Old Roman Catholic. This date is not a proud date or a feast, but a day of reflection for those who are his successors. Today, very few churches adhere to the declarations of Mathew, but most adhere to some aspects of it. The question for those who claim to be his successors is, are you Old Catholic or Old Roman Catholic? And if so, why?